Home UAE Dubai Dubai Parks and Resorts records almost two million visits between Jan-Sept Visitor numbers increased by 33 per cent year-on-year during the first nine months of the year by Aarti Nagraj October 10, 2018 Theme park complex Dubai Parks and Resorts recorded over 1.96 million visits during the first nine months of 2018, an increase of 33 per cent compared to the same period last year, operator DXB Entertainments announced on Wednesday. The growth follows rise in visitor numbers over the past three quarters. Dubai parks attracted over 1.4 million visits during the first two quarters. In Q3 2018, Dubai Parks and Resorts recorded over 501,000 visits, compared to 479,000 in the same period last year, marking a 4.6 per cent increase. “August saw an increase in visits as the parks benefited from the Eid holidays, whereas September saw a slowdown as the new school year started,” a statement said. The third quarter numbers reflect “the expected impact of seasonality”. Meanwhile the Lapita Hotel saw average occupancy at 59 per cent in the first nine months of the year, compared to the 30 per cent occupancy reported during the same period last year. The rising footfall will be a relief for the company’s management after it struggled to meet visitor targets last year. Dubai Parks, which comprises Bollywood, Hollywood and Legoland theme parks, targeted 6.7 million visitors but only drew in 2.3 million last year. With an estimated development cost of Dhs13.2bn for Dubai Parks, DXB Entertainment – listed on DFM – posted a full year loss of Dhs1.12bn ($305m) for 2017. In late March, the firm reached a deal with creditors to restructure $1.14bn of debt after visitors numbers fell short of expectations. Read: Dubai theme park operator in talks to restructure $1.15bn of loans – report Mohamed Almulla, CEO and managing director, DXB Entertainments, said: “We are pleased to progress according to our strategic plan and to deliver growth in visitor numbers, as Dubai Parks and Resorts continues to establish itself as a leading leisure and entertainment destination for the region. “As we head into our peak fourth quarter we are optimistic that we will continue on this growth trajectory.” 0 Comments